Food Donations

Seacoast Eat Local believes in high quality, locally grown foods for all. We are partners and collaborators with many local groups and organizations dedicated to eliminating food insecurity in northern New England. Following each market, food donations are made to a local pantry.

We hope that you will consider joining the efforts of Seacoast Eat Local and other organizations to end hunger on the Seacoast and beyond! You can donate purchased produce at a market and drop it in our donation basket, or find more information in this page for getting more involved.

Links to Local Food Security Organizations

Food Providers Network – A group of food pantries and soup kitchens, along with support organizations and volunteers, who provide emergency food for residents of New Hampshire and Southern Maine; includes directory of food providors searchable by zip code.

Partners for a Hunger-Free York County – A coalition of organizations and individuals working together to sustainably increase and improve access to fresh, healthy food for those who need it in York County.

Seacoast Grow-A-Row for the Hungry – A community-based program that encourages individual and community gardeners to plant and donate an extra row of produce in support of local food pantries and food relief organizations. Contact: Susan Turner at 603-969-5318 or sturner@rcaction.org

Food Pantries

These are the food pantries and soup kitchens that we have contacted and accept fresh foods, including produce, that you may have in excess from your garden or farm, in addition to nonperishable goods. The list is arranged alphabetically by state and by town.

The United Campus Ministry to the University of New Hampshire, serving the UNH CommunityLocation: Waysmeet Center (United Campus Ministry), 15 Mill Road, Durham, NH 03824Hours: Open two days a week during the school year, Wednesdays 4–5:30pm, and Fridays 12–5pm, and by appointment. From June 1st to September 1st, we are open Wednesdays from 4–5:30pm. If you need a different time to visit, please call or email us with your specific time needs.Contact: Larry Brickner-Wood, (603) 862-1165 or Larry.Brickner-Wood @ unh.edu or Waysmeet @ comcast.net; Stacey Hoang, stg9 @ unh.eduWebsite: www.cornucopia.unh.eduDonations: Accepts all types of fresh vegetables (e.g. onions, squash, carrots, corn, peppers, potatoes), dairy (eggs, milk, cheese),

fresh fruit, herbs and spices. We also accept meat, cereal, bread, nuts, flour, healthy snacks, juice, water, and all types of non-food items such as paper goods, household items, etc. Items from local farms and gardens are welcome! Donors do not need to call head, and also, our offices are open every weekday and for more hours than the pantry itself is open, so we can still accept donations when the pantry is closed. We also have some garden spots available for community and shopper use, and welcome visitors of all types to help us out in any way!

Location: Epping Bible Baptist Church, 243 Route 27, Epping, NH 03042Hours: 2nd & 3rd Friday of the month, 1–2:30pm; if extra week in the month, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Friday of the monthContact: Loretta Sygowski, (603) 679-5841Donations: Accepts all. Prefers people call ahead on either the Wednesday or Thursday before a served meal when they can meet people for food deliveries.

Location: 53 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH 03833Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday, 7–8pm; Wednesday & Friday, 1–2pmContact: Phone: (603) 772-9922; Fax: (603) 772-9928; Email: svdp@svdpexeter.comWebsite: www.svdpexeter.comDonations: Non-perishables preferred but have commercial grade refrigeration and freezer capabilities. Website is continually updated to show a list of current needs. Eggs are always in high demand. Our Community Assistance Center is normally open from 9am–2pm Monday to Thursday, and closed Fridays. Our entry way at the front of the building is protected from the elements and can hold a certain amount of canned/boxed goods if after hours. If you have frozen goods, please call beforehand to coordinate. For large amounts, we have a van and driver available, please call ahead to coordinate. For questions, we urge you to call ahead and leave a message—we’re sure to get back to you promptly.

FARMINGTON: Interfaith Food Pantry

Location: First Congregational Church, 400 Main Street, Farmington, NH 03835Hours: Last Saturday of each month, 9:30–10:30am (except no distribution in August)Contact: Church Office, (603) 755-4816; Donald A. Marble, (603) 755-3764Donations: Prefers that fresh food be donated no earlier than the last Tuesday of the month. They would be able to handle a limited amount of fresh produce only once a month on the last Saturday of the month. Serves the towns of Farmington and Middleton. Please call ahead.

Location: St. John Episcopal Church (Parish Hall), 101 Chapel St., Portsmouth, NH 03801Hours: Meal is served on Thursdays, 12–1pm; diners can arrive between 10am–12pmContact: Judy Roberts, (603) 778-2357, lj7222 @ comcast.net; Suzi Raeside, (207) 439-3133, suziraeside @ gmail.netWebsite: www.stjohnsnh.orgDonations: Area chefs draw up the menu before each Thursday. Accepts produce of any kind and can store some of it in a pantry (onions, potatoes, etc.) and some in the refrigerator, or give to the diners to take home. Either call ahead or just drop off during open hours. This free lunch program serves about 150 people each week, mostly homeless and low income, plus seniors.

Location: 1 Hampstead Rd. Sandown, NH 03873Hours: Tuesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 and Friday mornings from 9:00-10:00Contact: Arlene Bassett (603) 887-3453 or (603) 505-1512 or abassett@gsinet.netDonations: Accepts all non perishable donations as well as toiletries and paper products. They can be left at the Sandown Town Hall when the pantry is not open. Also accepts perishables such as produce, bread, pastries, etc. They can be left at the pantry during open hours or can be left at 393 Main St during other hours.

SEABROOK: Seabrook Community Table (Soup Kitchen)

Location: Church of Christ, 867 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, NH 03874, and Trinity Parish House, 103 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, NH 03874Hours: Mondays at Church of Christ, 5–6pm; Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Trinity Parish House, 5–6pmContact: Joyce Addison, 603-474-9608Website: On Facebook at Seabrook Community TableDonations: Accepts all; please call to coordinate, can only take fresh food during certain days of the week.

Seacoast Grow-a-Row

Seacoast Grow-a-Row is a community-based program that encourages individual and community gardeners to plant and donate an extra row of produce in support of local food pantries and food relief organizations in neighborhoods, local districts, cities and counties nationwide. Seacoast Grow-a-Row is sponsored by the Food Providers Network, 5210 Steps Up!, and The United Way of the Greater Seacoast.

How you can be a part of Seacoast Grow-a-Row:

2. Get in touch with the food provider you have chosen and let them know you are a Seacoast Grow-a-Row gardener. Plan together to make sure they will be ready to accept your donation.

3. Share your plans with Seacoast Grow-a-Row. Your good work is multiplied when the information can be shared out. Sign up via the form and be contacted in the fall about your harvest, the estimated amount of produce you donated and the pantries you supported with your garden bounty. Grow-a-Row sign up >

4. Plant your garden and then drop off your produce when it is harvest time!

Our Mission

Seacoast Eat Local connects people with sources of locally grown foods and advocates eating locally for the health of our environment, community, culture and economy. Through advocacy, organizing and education, we work toward a sustainable local food system that meets the needs of both producers and consumers.